Introduction India’s development journey is marked by sharp regional disparities. While some districts have achieved rapid socio-economic progress, many others remain trapped in cycles of poverty, weak infrastructure, poor health outcomes, and limited educational access. Recognizing this imbalance, the Government of India launched the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) in 2018 with the objective of accelerating…
Introduction The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme is one of the world’s largest school-based feeding programmes and represents a unique convergence of education policy, social welfare, and nutrition security. Though widely perceived as a post-independence welfare intervention, the idea of providing meals to school children in India is nearly a century old, with its earliest institutional…
The effective management of land and water resources plays a central role in alleviating poverty, reducing disasters, improving food security, and ensuring environmental sustainability. It is widely recognized that a mismanagement of these resources is at the core of many human miseries ranging from drought and famine to displacement, economic instability, and conflict. A systematic…
Introduction The Panchayati Raj System, constitutionally recognized through the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992, is the cornerstone of decentralized governance in rural India. Uttar Pradesh (UP), India’s most populous state, has a predominantly rural demographic, making Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) a crucial mechanism for local governance and rural development. In a state where over 77%…
Introduction Water scarcity and depleting groundwater levels have become pressing concerns in India, threatening agricultural productivity and sustainable development. Recognizing this challenge, the Government of India launched the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) on December 25, 2019, commemorating the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The scheme primarily focuses on ensuring sustainable…
The Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh, located in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a unique and ecologically significant area that harbors a diverse array of wildlife and plant species. This region plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity and ecological balance of the state, and the wildlife sanctuaries in the Tarai region are…
The Vision Plan 2030 of the Uttar Pradesh Government reflects a comprehensive commitment to sustainable development, with a particular focus on the preservation and enhancement of the terrestrial ecosystem. This ambitious roadmap aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 15, which emphasizes life on land and calls for sustainable management of…